Flock Build Up

Build up options – for composite and merino ewes using partial budgets

Rebuilding numbers after recent dry seasons can be achieved using a range of management options. A partial budget is one practical tool that can help assess the ‘best’ option for your enterprise.

Partial budgets show the financial outcome of changes in income and expenditure from making partial changes to an enterprise, allowing you to compare options and make informed decisions.

The partial budget Excel spreadsheets can be used to explore the estimated dollar value of different options to rebuild ewe numbers, including:

Buying scanned in lamb ewes (ewes joined to Merino or Terminal ram)
Retaining older ewes (and breed from them - Merino ram and Terminal ram)
Retaining (extra/additional) ewe lambs and grow them out
Retaining ewe lambs and mate them as lambs (joined to Merino ram and Terminal ram)
Accelerated joining, lambing 3 times in 2 years

These spread sheets were produced as part of the 2026 AWI Extension SA Sticky Beak Days – Rebuilding ewe numbers for productivity and profitability.

The spreadsheets were iteratively refined during the Stick Beak Days and have undergone review, however if you find any issues or errors please contact Jodie via email: Jodie.reseigh@sa.gov.au

To obtain your partial budget spreadsheets please fill out this form below and we will send you a link to download the tools. Registration enables us to keep you informed about any future updates to the tools.